Clearing helps motoring fan step up a gear on mechanical engineering course at Kingston University

Posted Wednesday 9 August 2017

A car enthusiast who worked as a salesman for five years took the plunge to apply to Kingston University through Clearing after seeing his friends graduating and becoming successful.

Muhammed Muneer had long been passionate about motoring and completed a college diploma and City and Guilds qualification in automotive technology before starting work in sales for a large automotive manufacturer.

Although he enjoyed his job, he felt it had become static. "My career wasn't moving at the pace that I wanted, so I thought it would be a good idea to go to university," he explained. "I saw my friends graduate and they were doing better than me in their chosen careers so I wanted to try to improve my prospects."

The 26 year old set his sights on Kingston University and applied through Clearing last year to the BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering programme in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing. He phoned the Clearing hotline and, after speaking to a tutor, was offered a place on the course.

Muhammed is now nearing the end of his first year and is particularly enjoying the technical aspects of the course. "The tutors and lecturers are really knowledgeable so it's a pleasure to be taught by them," he said.

He had has also thrown himself in to university life, becoming a course representative for the mechanical engineering degree and taking up the opportunity to study German and Arabic for free as part of the Kingston University Language Scheme available to all students. "It's been fantastic to acquire new language skills," he said. "I have a friend working for Airbus in Germany, so I thought it was a good idea to study languages to help broaden my horizons and increase my chances of working abroad."

Dr Ali Heidari, Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Course Director at Kingston University, said Muhammed's situation was a common one. "Many students like Muhammed choose to enrol on a university programme after taking a break from education, or because they want to make a successful career change," he added. "A simple phone call to our Clearing hotline will help you find out if you have the right qualifications to secure a place on one of our programmes, which in turn can set you on an exciting new career path."

Kingston University's hotline number for Clearing, confirmation and adjustment is 0800 0483 334 for callers in the UK. Calls are free from a landline. Mobile charges may apply - please check with your provider. Students calling from overseas should dial +44 (0)20 8328 1149.

The lines will be open between 7.30am and 7.30pm on 17 August; 8.30am and 6.00pm on 18 August; 10.00am and 4.00pm on 19 August and weekdays 9.00am and 5.00pm (Fridays 9.00am and 4.30pm) from 21 August to 29 September. The hotline will be closed on Sunday 20 August and on Bank Holiday 28 August.

Muhammed has been impressed by the facilities and equipment available for engineering students at Kingston University.